Origins
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) - the quintessential 1970s-80s houseplant - experienced a quiet comeback 2015-2020 as plant parents rediscovered its propagation ease and air-purifying claims.
The Retro Revival (2015-2019)
Why Spider Plants returned:
- NASA air purification study (1989, formaldehyde removal)
- Produces “babies” (plantlets on runners) prolifically
- Near-indestructible (tolerates neglect)
- Cheap ($5-15 at big-box stores)
- Retro/vintage aesthetic appeal
Instagram growth: 80K posts (2015) → 400K+ posts (2020).
Varieties
Common:
- Variegated (green with white stripes, most popular)
- Solid green (Bonnie, curly leaves)
Less common:
- Reverse variegation (white with green edges)
- Ocean (compact variety)
Baby Propagation Culture
Spider Plants became the ultimate beginner propagation plant:
- Produces 5-20+ babies per year
- Root in water or soil in 1-2 weeks
- “Adopt don’t shop” - friends giving away babies
- r/TakeaPlantLeaveaPlant flooded with Spider Plant offers
The Brown Tip Problem
Spider Plants’ Achilles heel:
- Brown leaf tips (from fluoride, chlorine, salts in tap water)
- Distilled/filtered water solves it, but feels fussy
- Many plant parents accepted brown tips as inevitable
Macramé Hanger Match
Spider Plants became synonymous with macramé plant hangers:
- Trailing babies cascade beautifully
- Retro 1970s aesthetic pairing
- Pinterest-perfect combo
Cultural Legacy
Spider Plants never reached trendy status (too common, too “grandma”), but quietly persisted as the reliable, unglamorous workhorse of plant collections.
Sources
- NASA Clean Air Study (1989)
- r/TakeaPlantLeaveaPlant trading stats (2017-2020)
- “The Humble Spider Plant” (The Spruce, 2019)